Metalworking site in Hoop's-Lot

Excavation at the S side of the W end of the main street, immediately before the bridge, revealed two furnaces filled with charcoal and slag close to the street frontage (Moran 2000, 194). The charcoal spread contained several hearth bottoms and a quantity of iron waste (ibid.). The ironworking may pre-date the bridge (ibid.). It may be associated with the tower-house on the island in the river, but pottery recovered overlying the hearths (three sherds) is of 13th-century date (ibid.). Further excavations in 2001 revealed hearths and paved and metalled surfaces associated with a late medieval workshop or smithy (Moran 2003, 383) which may be related to the ironworking site. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011